US STOCKS-Futures slightly higher on deal optimism

(Updates prices)

*Futures higher on optimism about deals

*Jobless claims tick up, NY manufacturing weakens

*A number of Federal Reserve officials to speak

By Kristina Cooke

NEW YORK, May 15 (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures ticked higher on Thursday, helped by optimism about potential deals after CBS Corp (CBS.N: Quote, Profile, Research) said it would buy CNET Networks (CNET.O: Quote, Profile, Research) and billionaire investor Carl Icahn said he will run a dissident board slate for Yahoo Inc (YHOO.O: Quote, Profile, Research).

Shares of J.C. Penney Co Inc (JCP.N: Quote, Profile, Research) rose more than 2 percent to $45.50 before the bell after the retailer posted a quarterly profit that topped Wall Street's forecasts

Icahn is moving ahead with plans to run a dissident board slate at Yahoo in a bid to force the Internet company to sell itself to Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O: Quote, Profile, Research).

Shares of Yahoo rose 2.2 percent. CNET shares rose more than 40 percent.